This guys show up 5 or 6 at a time, raid the feeders and tend to scare the smaller birds.
Any idea to get rid of them?
Gerard
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GMHY Goldmember  1,013 posts Likes: 1 Joined Sep 2008 Location: New York State More info | Apr 25, 2009 23:42 | #1 This guys show up 5 or 6 at a time, raid the feeders and tend to scare the smaller birds.
Gerard
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J-dubya Member 118 posts Joined Mar 2009 Location: Snook, TX(work in Iraq) More info | Apr 26, 2009 09:15 | #2 pellet rifle
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gasrocks Cream of the Crop  13,432 posts Likes: 2 Joined Mar 2005 Location: Portage, Wisconsin USA More info | Apr 26, 2009 09:34 | #3 But they are very pretty birds and interesting to watch. Wait until you get young ones and adults molting. GEAR LIST
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jgrussell Looking around nervously  18,758 posts Likes: 14 Joined May 2008 Location: NJ USA More info | Apr 26, 2009 10:13 | #4 Grackles can sure be pests. You can switch to safflower seed (grackles prefer sunflower), you can use feeders that are set to close under the weight of bigger birds, you can use feeders inside wire cages that won't admit the bigger birds, you can scare them off (a loud voice will send them running), or you can grin and bear it... -- jgr
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imahawki Goldmember  1,455 posts Likes: 1 Joined Aug 2008 Location: Omaha, NE More info | Apr 27, 2009 06:45 | #5 I am overrun with grackles and haven't really done much about it yet. Bear in mind that they will also eat grubs and other lawn pests so its better than no birds at all. Olympus OMD E-M10 | Olympus 25 f/1.8 | Olympus 45 f/1.8 | Olympus 75 f/1.8 | Olympus 9-18 f/4-5.6 | Olympus 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 | Olympus 40-150 f/4-5.6
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Stormin_24 Cream of the Crop  More info | Apr 30, 2009 02:35 | #6 Your not alone, believe me... Ever since my wife got me that feeder, they are here.... I do have 2 squirrel proof feeders with a cage all around that keeps bigger birds out and lets little ones in..
New Hampshire State Bird: Purple Finch
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HeathNC Member  70 posts Joined Apr 2009 Location: NC More info | May 03, 2009 07:15 | #7 Squirrel proof feeders will usually work to keep larger birds out as well. Especally hte ones that are "activated" by weight. Canon 30D gripped, 55-250IS, 18-55IS
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May 03, 2009 21:03 | #8 jgrussell wrote in post #7806453  Grackles can sure be pests. You can switch to safflower seed (grackles prefer sunflower), you can use feeders that are set to close under the weight of bigger birds, you can use feeders inside wire cages that won't admit the bigger birds, you can scare them off (a loud voice will send them running), or you can grin and bear it... I have read that safflower seeds do not attract squirrels either - but I'm not sure they are as attractive to other birds as sunflower seeds are? Gerard
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May 03, 2009 21:04 | #9 HeathNC wrote in post #7848461 Squirrel proof feeders will usually work to keep larger birds out as well. Especally hte ones that are "activated" by weight. I may have to resort to this... Gerard
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jgrussell Looking around nervously 18,758 posts Likes: 14 Joined May 2008 Location: NJ USA More info | May 04, 2009 01:01 | #10 GMHY wrote in post #7852163 I have read that safflower seeds do not attract squirrels either - but I'm not sure they are as attractive to other birds as sunflower seeds are? They aren't as attractive as sunflower seeds, but most birds will eat them. I now have a dove that sits on the feeder and scarfs down safflower seeds. -- jgr
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imahawki Goldmember 1,455 posts Likes: 1 Joined Aug 2008 Location: Omaha, NE More info | May 05, 2009 07:58 | #11 I switched from black oil sunflower to safflower and it has drastically reduced the number of grackles and my pair of cardinals came back. Olympus OMD E-M10 | Olympus 25 f/1.8 | Olympus 45 f/1.8 | Olympus 75 f/1.8 | Olympus 9-18 f/4-5.6 | Olympus 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 | Olympus 40-150 f/4-5.6
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jgrussell Looking around nervously 18,758 posts Likes: 14 Joined May 2008 Location: NJ USA More info | May 05, 2009 08:27 | #12 imahawki wrote in post #7861444 I switched from black oil sunflower to safflower and it has drastically reduced the number of grackles and my pair of cardinals came back. Cardinals in particular LIKE safflower. -- jgr
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